Explore Guides
Local food map
Koh Samui (Thailand)
Hotels in area
Main course
Fish & Seafood
Food Flavour DNA
Nutritional Values
230kcal
25gProtein
18gCarbs
5gFat
4gFibre
300 gServing
* Per serving · 300 g. May vary.
Allergens
🐟 Fish
Also served in
Gaeng Som Pla
How to order / say it
Say it
แกงส้มปลา — [Gang Som Pla]
Order
I'd like the gaeng som pla, please.
Locally
ขอแกงส้มปลาหนึ่งที่ครับ/ค่ะ
Say locally
A sour and spicy fish soup with vegetables.
Why try it?
Gaeng Som Pla is a classic southern dish in Krabi, reflecting the rich maritime culture. It embodies the local preference for bold flavors, using fresh seafood and indigenous herbs.
How it tastes
The soup is known for its intensely sour and spicy qualities, with the aroma of fresh turmeric and lemongrass. The fish is tender, cooked in a broth that is both refreshing and invigorating.
Origin & History — first documented: 1920
Gaeng Som Pla taps into the culinary traditions prevalent in Southern Thailand since the early 20th century, using locally caught seafood and herbs that reflect the area's rich biodiversity.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 🐟 200 g white fish
- 🧂 30 g tamarind paste
- 🧂 10 g turmeric
- 🌿 20 g lemongrass
- 🥛 500 ml water
- 🥕 100 g carrot
- 🥕 100 g green beans
- 🥣 30 ml fish sauce
- 🍯 20 g palm sugar
- 🧂 15 g chili paste
Method
- 1 Boil water with turmeric and lemongrass.
- 2 Add fish and vegetables, cooking until tender.
- 3 Stir in tamarind paste, fish sauce, and chili paste.
- 4 Adjust seasoning with palm sugar and serve hot.
More from Southern Thailand
© Wikimedia Commons
Dessert
Vegan
Roti Sai Mai
โรตีสายไหม
roh-TEE sai MAI
Fluffy spun sugar wrapped in a thin crepe-like roti.
🥩
Main course
Meat
Mee Hoon Phuket
หมี่หุ้นภูเก็ต
Mee hoon poo-get
Stir-fried rice vermicelli with pork and local herbs.
🐟
Soup
Fish & Seafood
Tom Prai Pla
ต้มไพรปลา
tome prai plah
A spicy and sour fish soup that is aromatic with Thai herbs.
© Wikimedia Commons
Main course
Meat
Larb Kua Kai
ลาบคั่วไก่
lap khwa kai
A spicy mixed herb and minced chicken dish.
🥩
Main course
Meat
Grilled Chicken with Turmeric
ไก่ย่างขมิ้น
guy yaang ka-min
Juicy grilled chicken marinated with fresh turmeric and herbs
🥩
Main course
Meat
Spicy Southern Thai Minced Pork Salad
ลาบใต้
laap tai
A spicy minced pork salad, spiced with Southern Thai herbs.
© Wikimedia Commons
Snack
Meat
Sai Ua
ไส้อั่ว
Sigh Oo-ah
A Northern Thai grilled pork sausage seasoned with local herbs.
🐟
Main course
Fish & Seafood
Southern Thai Grilled Fish
ปลาย่างใต้
pla yang tai
A simple and flavorful grilled fish dish.
Main course
Meat
Kai Palo
ไข่พะโล้
Kai Pā-loh
A savory-sweet stew with pork and eggs.
🐟
Main course
Fish & Seafood
Stir-fried Southern Rice with Shrimp Paste
ข้าวผัดคั่วกลิ้ง
khao pad khua kling
A spicy stir-fried rice dish with a shrimp paste base.